You are here:

Tobacco Cessation

Ready to Quit?

Stop in at UHS Stay Healthy to talk with a Nurse, or call NurseDirect at 607-763-5555

Dr. Daniel Young on treating tobacco dependence

Leaving the Pack Behind

Tobacco cessation is a critical step in staying healthy. Tobacco use is responsible for heart disease, cancer, emphysema, and many other chronic and debilitating illnesses. The UHS Stay Healthy Center, based in New York, has many available opportunities for individuals who wish to quit tobacco use and to stop smoking:

Individual Tobacco Cessation Counseling - New York

Format: One on one phone counseling Cost: Call for informationLocation: By phone or at the UHS Stay Healthy Center, Oakdale Mall, nears Sears For information: 607-763-5555

We're helping more than 200 people kick the habit right now across our five county service area! And many of them are quitting for good!

Tobacco Use Facts

Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of disease, disability, and death in the United States.

The amount of nicotine absorbed from smokeless tobacco is 3-4 times the amount delivered by a cigarette (the amount of nicotine in 1 can of chewing tobacco is equivalent to the amount of nicotine in 4 packs of cigarettes)

Nicotine inhaled in cigarette smoke reaches the brain in approximately 8 seconds which is faster than the 12 seconds it takes for injected drugs such as heroin and cocaine to reach the brain

Nicotine is a drug that is ADDICTIVE as cocaine and heroin

One large cigar can contain as much tobacco as an entire pack of cigarettes. Cigar smokers are 4-10 times more likely to suffer from throat cancer, larynx cancer and esophageal cancer than nonsmokers

Smoking during pregnancy increases the chances of spontaneous abortions, stillbirths and premature labor

According to the Surgeon's General, Teens who smoke are 3 times more likely to drink alcohol, 8 times more likely to smoke marijuana and 22 times more likely to us cocaine

More than 90% of adult smokers started smoking as a teen

Nicotine withdrawal symptoms can start as soon as 20 minutes after a smokers last cigarette

Steps To Quitting

Quitting is hard. It's a long, difficult journey. But the rewards are definitely worth it. Smoking makes you look older than you really are.

One to nine months after quitting, coughing and shortness of breath decrease; cilia (tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs) regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection.

One year after quitting, your risk of heart disease is half that of a smoker. Five to fifteen years after quitting, your risk for stroke is the same as a non-smoker. Ten years after quitting, your risk of lung cancer is nearly the same as a non-smoker.

Fifteen years after quitting, your risk for heart disease is the same as a non-smoker. The list of benefits goes on and on. Many people are looking to quit tobacco but don't know where to start. Below is a list of the steps to take once you've decided to quit.

The list of benefits goes on and on. Many people are looking to quit tobacco. But, where do you even start?

1) Get ready: Think about your reasons for quitting and write them down

2) Pick a quit day: Avoid holidays and stressful times. Mark your day on the calendar and as you get closer to the day, cut back on the amount of tobacco you use

3) Ask family and friends for support: Ask them to be on-call to talk you through cravings and to provide encouragement

4) Nicotine Replacement Therapy and other medications: Talk to your doctor about what’s right for you

5) Make a clean start: Throw out all tobacco products including ashtrays, lighters, spit cans. Wash clothing and clean house and vehicle to get rid of smoke smell

6) Avoid triggers: Avoid any situations you can that make you want to smoke. Take a walk on your break rather than joining co-workers who smoke. Avoid bars, parties and situations that will make it hard not to smoke.

7) Prepare for temptation: When cravings arise, take a walk or call a friend (do whatever you can to avoid using tobacco)

8) Get Moving: Exercise is a great stress reliever and will help control your weight while quitting

9) Get through the 1st day: If you can make it through the 1st day you are 10 times more likely to quit

10) Don’t give up: If you slip don’t give up. It takes the average person 5-6 quit attempts before being successful.